RADIO
Ty Johnson Dominating, Making Case for MLB Debut
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson has been about as shutdown as they come this month out of the bullpen at Triple-A Durham, having yet to allow a run on two hits and one walk while striking out 13 batters in eight innings of work. That equates to an absurd 48.0 percent K-BB% and a 14.63 K/9. For the season, the 6-foot-6 hurler owns a 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 25.1 percent K-BB% across 57 2/3 innings pitched in 17 appearances. Bryan Baker has the closer role locked down in Tampa, but with Johnson's big-time strikeout stuff, the right-hander could soon find himself coming out of the 'pen for the Rays, and with his strikeout upside, he warrants attention in fantasy leagues. He's not a must-stash, but for managers in leagues that reward holds or simply for any manager looking to boost strikeouts and ratios down the stretch, the 24-year-old should be on their radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
De'Zhaun Stribling's Redraft Stock Continues to Climb
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has already spent August pushing his way up redraft boards, and another Mike Evans injury only adds to the rookie's case. Evans is not practicing Tuesday because of a groin injury after leaving Sunday's session early. Stribling has done more than benefit from injuries around him. The 33rd overall pick has caught 11 of 13 targets for 109 yards through two preseason games, including four receptions for 46 yards against the Chargers on Thursday. He also caught two touchdowns during last week's joint practice and has earned praise from Brock Purdy for his reliability and strong hands. Stribling has dealt with a shoulder issue of his own, but he returned Sunday in a non-contact jersey after sitting out Saturday. Ricky Pearsall (knee) is already out for the season, while Evans and Christian Kirk (calf) are now both dealing with injuries. Deebo Samuel Sr. remains part of a crowded target picture, so an immediate featured role isn't guaranteed. Still, Stribling has gone from WR75 in RotoBaller's July rankings to WR51 now. His redraft stock is clearly headed in the right direction.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pete Fairbanks Placed on Injured List With Nerve Irritation
The Miami Marlins announced on Tuesday that they placed right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) on the 15-day injured list with right median nerve irritation in his hand and recalled left-hander Dax Fulton from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Fairbanks will go on the IL for a second time this year with the same issue after he had to be pulled after facing just one batter in Monday's loss to the Boston Red Sox. He will visit with a specialist on Tuesday, after which we hope to have a better idea of how long Fairbanks might be sidelined. But given the timing as we near the final month of the regular season, fantasy managers should not be surprised if we do not see the 32-year-old veteran again in 2026. Fairbanks has 18 saves in his eighth year in the majors (first with Miami), but he has also recorded a rough 6.02 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 57 strikeouts and 19 walks in his 40 1/3 innings pitched. In shallower fantasy leagues, dropping Fairbanks for a healthier and more stable bullpen option would not be a bad idea. In the meantime, Miami could use a closer-by-committee situation that could involve all of Calvin Faucher, Michael Petersen, Tyler Zuber, and Josh Ekness.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
Rhamondre Stevenson Gaining Ground as a Redraft Target
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was already having a strong summer, and the latest TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) news gives his redraft stock another nudge upward. Henderson slipped while making a cut during Monday's practice and left after trainers examined his right foot/ankle. Christopher Price of The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that Henderson is undergoing precautionary testing on his lower right ankle and is walking and moving fine, but he may not practice again this week. That matters for Stevenson, who took nearly every key backfield rep after Henderson departed Monday and continued his strong camp. The 6-foot, 227-pound veteran rushed 130 times for 603 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games last season, adding 32 catches for 345 yards and two scores. Stevenson had already been trending ahead in the backfield, including a 70.1% offensive snap share during New England's postseason run compared with 31.4% for Henderson. Henderson's injury does not currently look serious enough to project missed regular-season time, but every extra first-team rep helps Stevenson solidify a role that was already moving in his favor. He is a clear redraft riser and an increasingly appealing RB2/flex target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Adams' Patient Approach on Display in Return from Injured List
Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Luke Adams returned from the injured list this past Saturday, and although he went 0-for-3, he was also able to draw a pair of walks in the contest, which is something he's done quite a bit this season. The Brewers' 13th-ranked prospect owns a 13.3 percent walk rate at Triple-A this season, which is nearly on par with his 14.0 percent strikeout rate. The 6-foot-4 slugger is hitting just .251, but owns a .906 OPS thanks to his keen eye and enough power to deliver 13 home runs in 63 games for the Sounds. The Brewers have the best record in baseball and are hardly in need of Adams' services at this time, but he could get a shot to debut when rosters expand in September. Even so, unless he's getting regular at-bats with Milwaukee, he may not be fantasy relevant enough to garner roster consideration, so he can remain on the waiver wire for now.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Shane Bieber Going on Injured List With Teres Major Inflammation
The Toronto Blue Jays are placing right-hander Shane Bieber (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 21) on Tuesday with right teres major inflammation and recalling pitcher Chad Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. This one comes out of nowhere after the veteran hurler was sharp in three of his four outings in August. In his last two starts against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, Bieber gave up just two earned runs on eight hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out 12 in 13 innings of work for two victories. Overall, the former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star has gone 5-2 in 2026 for Toronto with a 4.53 ERA (5.13 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 24 walks in 55 2/3 innings across 11 starts. Injuries have been an issue for Bieber in recent seasons, and given the timing of his latest one, it would not be a surprise if the Jays end up shutting him down for the final month of the regular season. He is rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Ja'Marr Chase Exits Practice with Pain in Left Knee
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase came up grabbing his left knee after landing awkwardly at the end of a deep route during Tuesday's practice, according to Charlie Clifford. Chase was able to walk back toward the sideline under his own power with members of the training staff. He had been practicing normally leading into Tuesday after another productive summer with Cincinnati's first-team offense. Chase is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 125 passes for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns across 16 games. There isn't enough information yet to say what Tuesday's incident means beyond the initial scare, but the fact that Chase needed attention from trainers makes his status worth following as practice continues.
Source: Charlie Clifford
Source: Charlie Clifford
Cade Otton Returns to Tuesday's Practice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (undisclosed) returned to the team's training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. Otton is back on the field after missing around a week with an undisclosed injury. It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will suit up this Friday for the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Otton should be fine for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season if he does not suffer a setback. The former fourth-rounder in 2022 from the University of Washington matched his career high with 59 receptions last year, but he went for just 572 yards and a career-low one touchdown in 16 starts in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL. Even with veteran receiver Mike Evans gone, Otton will not necessarily be primed for a career year in 2026 in a new Buccaneers offense. At best, he will once again be a matchup-based TE2 streamer with limited weekly targets and a lack of red-zone prowess. RotoBaller has Otton ranked as the No. 24 fantasy TE. In single-TE leagues, there are plenty of more exciting options at the position to take a chance on.
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Source: The Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
Ethan Salas Excelling on Doorstep to Major Leagues
San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas has excelled since being promoted to Triple-A El Paso in late July, now hitting .319 with three home runs and a .948 OPS through 19 games with the Chihuahuas. What's more is that the Padres' top-ranked prospect has walked (10) more times than he has struck out (eight) while being one of only a few 20-year-olds at that level. The left-handed hitter came into professional baseball as a highly-ranked prospect, but after a disappointing 2024 and an injury-marred 2025 in which he logged only 10 games, he had fallen outside the top 100 prospects, per MLB.com. However, the youngster has risen all the way back up to No. 23 overall in 2026 and is now on the doorstep to the majors. While a debut this season is likely a long shot, it isn't out of the question, so fantasy managers should keep tabs on the 20-year-old, as he offers an advanced approach with decent pop at the catcher position. His dynasty arrow is finally pointing up again after some uncertainty over the last couple of years.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mike Evans Dealing With Groin Injury
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (groin) did not practice Tuesday, according to Matt Maiocco. Evans has dealt with a few interruptions during his first training camp with San Francisco, including a quad issue earlier this month, but he had returned to full participation and was back working in team drills. The groin injury is the latest concern with the regular season getting closer. Evans joined the 49ers this offseason after spending his first 12 NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. He was limited to eight games last year, catching 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. The 33-year-old is expected to have a sizable role in San Francisco's passing game alongside the rest of its revamped receiver group. There is no timetable attached to Tuesday's absence, so his practice status over the rest of the week will be worth watching.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Emeka Egbuka Still Not Practicing
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) was not seen at training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Egbuka has been described as both day-to-day and week-to-week since spraining his toe on Aug. 12, and he has not returned to team drills. The 23-year-old's vague status will not help his fantasy football draft stock in the coming weeks, and he is almost certain to sit out the team's preseason finale this Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. We might not have a better idea of his Week 1 availability for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals until the week before the regular season kicks off. With Jalen McMillan also missing time with an injury, rookie third-round receiver Ted Hurst has stood out in recent practices and could have a bigger role than anticipated early on in 2026 if Egbuka is out or limited in Week 1. When healthy, Egbuka is expected to have a bigger role in Tampa's new offense now that veteran Mike Evans is in San Francisco. The former 19th overall pick from Ohio State had a nice 63-938-6 line in 17 games as a rookie, making him a WR2 target in 2026 with upside.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Jonah Tong Finally Making Push for Return to Majors
New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong had another solid outing in his latest start, tossing 5 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, yielding three hits and two walks while striking out three. The Mets' fifth-ranked prospect owns a 1.26 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over his last three starts as he attempts to make a case for a return to the majors. Last year, the right-hander led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts, and his 29.9 percent K-BB% was the highest among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched, but he has not seen the same success in 2026, with a lower strikeout rate and a higher walk rate, leading to an underwhelming 13.8 percent K-BB% in 100 IP at Triple-A this season. The 6-foot-1 hurler has also not been very effective in his two stints in the majors between last year and this year, but perhaps this recent three-game stretch is a sign of maturation and development. Still, even though the 23-year-old could find his way back to New York before the end of the season, he doesn't warrant stashing in most fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
TreVeyon Henderson Unlikely to Practice on Tuesday
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is unlikely to practice Tuesday after leaving Monday's session early. Executive vice president Eliot Wolf told Doug Kyed that the Patriots are still "working through that situation." Henderson appeared to hurt his right foot or ankle after slipping while trying to make a cut Monday, then went inside after being checked by the training staff and did not return. The second-year back is coming off a strong rookie season, rushing 180 times for 911 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also caught 35 passes for 221 yards and another score. New England hasn't put a timetable on Henderson's absence, so there isn't enough here yet to make assumptions about Week 1. For now, his status bears watching after an early exit followed by another expected day off the field.
Source: Doug Kyed
Source: Doug Kyed
Tua Tagovailoa's Play Making it "Impossible" to Earn QB Job
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the original goal for the Atlanta Falcons this summer was to have Tua Tagovailoa open the 2026 regular season as the starting quarterback while Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continued to rehab from a torn ACL he suffered last year. Rapoport adds that Tagovailoa's play during training camp and the preseason has made that plan "impossible," and it is now Penix's "job for the taking." Penix returned to team drills for the first time in camp on Monday, and if he plays up to his capabilities, it could create a best-case scenario for the organization that drafted the 26-year-old with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Washington in 2024. Time will tell if Penix can unseat Tua for the Week 1 starting job, but the previous expectation that Tagovailoa would open the year as the Falcons' starter is now out the window. After throwing for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts last year, Penix's long- and short-term fantasy value is slowly back on the rise. With that said, he could be on a very short leash if he wins the starting job, and his lengthy injury history makes him a volatile keeper asset.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tank Dell Reportedly Nowhere Near Ready to Play
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) may still be a long way from making his return. John McClain wrote that Houston should have a full-speed Dell next season, "hopefully sooner," while adding that he is nowhere near ready to play right now. That's a sobering update after Dell returned to team drills earlier this month and generated some optimism about a 2026 comeback. The 26-year-old suffered a devastating left knee injury in December 2024, dislocating the knee while tearing his ACL, MCL and LCL and damaging his meniscus. He required multiple surgeries and missed the entire 2025 season. Dell had 51 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games before going down. McClain's wording leaves open the possibility of Dell playing at some point this season, but fantasy managers should not be counting on him being available anytime soon.
Source: John McClain
Source: John McClain
